New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-10-02
Il FRENCH PRINCE 10 THE Grand ARMY

LETTERS FROM THE COUNT OF PARIS TO AMERICAN
VETERANS.
IL not generally known that the Count Of Paris In
whom the Bourbon and Orleans claims to the throne Of
France merged and whose recent royal manifesto
issued from his Of oxils under the British flag has
boon widely read and commented upon, month or
two ago seriously contemplated becoming member OF
the Grand Army of the Republic.
Many of the Army Of the Potomac of1661o62
still remember the two young French ades-de-camp on
General McClean's staff whose captivating and
dashing ways won many admirers In camp and neld
a. well a. in Washington society, and who
were known - Captsins Louis Philippe and Roberto
d. Orleans. The older brother WAS the Count Of
Paris then just twenty the younger tho Duke
Of Chartres not quite wentyone old They were
commissioned by President Lincoln and confirmed by the
captains and IN the Volunteer ser
vice on September Ia 1891, and resigned July TO-
1862 Just after McCleans "ohange OF base. leaving
their chief safely fortified at Harsons Landing on the
Jamsa That the Count eligible for membership In the
Grand Army By Of his services the Union side
during tho rebellion will not be questioned The only
diculty would probably arise would DO In relation
his taking the oath to support tho OF the
United States required Of all members on inta
on although Count took this oath IN 1861 whom
In . commissioned officer in the United States
Army perhaps ne could do 30 again.
The following letters from the Count Of Paris to Colonel
q A. Wells OF this city, will 10 better un-
dsrstood in the light Of the following facts:
At the annual meeting Of the Survivors Association
OF the 9th Esw-York Volunteers and the LIST New
York Cavalry held at Rochester last year resolution
was passed which declared that In consideration OF the
distinguished services in tho Peninsula campaign in the
War Of the Rebellion Of those ustrous compariots OF
the Marquis de Lafayette, and evidence OF warm
sympathy for them account Of their expulsion from
their native land. the National Encampment was ear
nsstly requested take action TO create an
houor Aa~r ~ In hat
Prince de Jelnville; Louis Philippe, Comic do Parsi
and Robert d'Orlesas. Due dc Chsrtres
copy Of this resolution was forwarded by Colonel
Wells. chairman Of tho committee appointed for the
purpose. to the Count IN England As the first letter
from printed below shows he did receive
the communication hear OF 1t until nearly year
afterward. when he replied as follows;
SHEEN HOUSE, EAST SHEEN. SURREY. July 30 1887.
SIR: Your letter Of tho 9TH instant has just reached
true that never received any communication concern.
ing the resolution voted unanimously by the survivors
LIST Veteran Cavalry at Its on IN. 2ls.
of July 1883. few weeks after most unjust exile had
this resolution to my relatives and myself was protest
IL: as
lodged It at once with the expression OF sincere
gratitude and wish you At the frat opportunity
vey thanks tho members OF association
fellow Comrades %,.A Of the A%1 Of the
whose tolls and dangers shared ouarerof century
PHILIPPE CoMTE DE PARIS
As you mention the fact that the Grand Army OF tho
Republic Is not q political organization. would GER
tany se grated become member OF this society as
already one of that OF II: Army Of the Potomac
You may not be aware that my brother the DUO de
Chartres, and myself regularly commissioned In
the United states Volunteer Service and A. d. on the
CoIonei G A. WELLS, Room los, Tribune Building, Hep
York oily.
Colonel Wells wrote in reply enclosing copy OF tho
constitution and bylaws OF the Grand Army OF the Re
public He informed the Court that whlo he would be
happy to present his for membership to his own
Post Abraham Lincoln. No 49, yet there were other
city which he might prefer TO join and men
toned especially and George Washington Posts
as bearing illustrious names which might prove
particularly attractive to his French correspondent
But the Count Of Paris evidently difference be-
tween being spontaneously elected and "himself
making an application for membership In the Grand
Army and replied from Scotland In the following less
enthusiastic but still polite terms:
LoCH KESSARD LoDGE.
ABEKPEIDY. PHRTHsHfRR. ~ B..
August "a. 1897
Instant and am pleased tc hear that you VIII convey
nv best thanks your association at It's next nceune
IA for the membership OF the Grand Army OF the 10
public do not think should MAKE the appncaLI,oh
which you suggest cannot enjoy the connection with
its members ; I cannot take n share In us WORK
Immediately after the passing In france OF inc Ia"
which banished me, would have considered my spon'
election q compliment OF tho highest value
But TO ma ge myself application as candidate Is
anita different thing am you will perceive this
and appreciate the considerations which Induce me not
to mako tho application Believe mo- air, yours pa
Colonel A. WELLS. Room 10s, Tribune budding, Ns,-
York CITY.